Conjugial Love (Rogers) n. 399

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399. (11) The rational ground of innocence and peace in parents with respect to their little children is that the little children know nothing and can do nothing of themselves, but are dependent on others, especially on their father and mother; and this state also gradually recedes as the children gain knowledge and are able to act on their own independently of their parents. We showed above under its own heading (no. 391) that the atmosphere of a love for little children is an atmosphere of protecting and maintaining those who cannot protect and maintain themselves. We remarked as well there that this reason is only a rational reason conceived in people, but not the actual cause of the love in them. The real initial cause of that love is innocence from the Lord, which flows in without a person's knowing, and it inspires this rational reason. Therefore, as the first cause brings about a receding from that love, so at the same time does this second reason; or in other words, as a communication of innocence recedes, so also does the persuading reason along with it. This happens, however, only in the case of man, in order that he may do what he does in freedom in accordance with reason, and be moved by it as by rational and at the same time moral law to support his grown offspring in accordance with what is necessary and useful. This second reason is not found in creatures devoid of reason. In their case there is only the prior cause, which in them is instinct.


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